'Trojan horse' schools in Muslim plot have not improved warns Ofsted

FIVE Birmingham schools declared failing by inspectors in the wake of the alleged “Trojan Horse” takeover plot by hardline Muslims have still not improved, Ofsted has warned.

PUBLISHED: 00:00, Wed, Oct 15, 2014

Oldknow Academy, one of the Birmingham Schools at the centre of the 'Trojan Horse' inquiry [GETTY]

It has taken too much time to appoint new governors and senior leaders at these schools, meaning that “very little action” has been taken to address the serious concerns raised about their performance, the watchdog said.

In the first update following inspections earlier this year, Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw said that “too much poor practice remained unchallenged during the summer term”.

In one case, at Park View Academy, “little had been done” to tackle segregation between the sexes, and encourage boys and girls to sit together in lessons and share ideas, inspectors warned.

The action and improvement plans of all five schools are “not fit for purpose”, Sir Michael said.

Four separate probes were conducted into the allegations in Birmingham, which were originally sparked by the “Trojan Horse” letter - now widely believed to be a hoax - that referred to an alleged plot by hardline Muslims to seize control of a number of school governing boards in the city.

In June, Ofsted issued a damning verdict on the running of a number of Birmingham's schools and declared five failing, placing them into special measures.

These schools were: Golden Hillock School, Nansen Primary School and Park View Academy - all run by the Park View Educational Trust (PVET), as well as Oldknow Academy and Saltley School

Trustees were not aware that a visit to Saudi Arabia had taken place this year for pupils and staff

Ofsted

Trustees at a school embroiled in the “Trojan Horse” row were kept in the dark about a trip to Saudi Arabia involving pupils and members of staff, Ofsted inspectors have claimed.

In its latest assessment of Oldknow Academy in Small Heath, Birmingham, Ofsted reported that senior leaders at the school told trustees the overseas trip had been cancelled.

Criticising the school for its failure to correct “deep-seated” weaknesses in governance and safeguarding, Ofsted said: “Senior leadership has functioned on a temporary basis and little has been achieved to improve the academy.

“Worryingly, trustees were not aware that a visit to Saudi Arabia had taken place this year for pupils and staff, despite a similar trip last year receiving criticism from inspectors at the previous inspection due to failures in safeguarding.

“Indeed, they had been told by senior leaders that the visit had been cancelled.”

Oldknow, which came under fire in June after banning “un-Islamic” tombolas and raffles at a fete, has made efforts to promote a respect of different religions and cultures, but Ofsted was told the initiative was being held back by parents withdrawing their children from acts of collective worship.

The inspection report said: “Plans have been started to ensure that assemblies and personal, social and health education create opportunities to foster an appreciation of, and respect for, different faiths and cultures.

“However, the principal has received over 100 letters from parents requesting that their child should be withdrawn from collective worship.

“Senior leaders recognise that this is limiting the academy’s ability to deliver this priority.”